GOLD FOR ROMERO

Rebbecca Romero completed her transformation from Rower to cyclist tonight by thrashing double world champion Sarah Hammer of America in the women’s individual pursuit

Romero won world titles in her former discipline, but this is her first cycling world title, and it was won in crushing style. She started faster than the American and it wasn’t long before it was over as a contest. Romero constantly stretched her lead, riding to a time of 3:30.501 minutes, almost seven seconds faster than her opponent.

Romero’s ride cemented Britain’s position as the best pursuiting nation in the world bar none.

Team GB now has the world title in the men’s and women’s pursuit as well as the team pursuit. And amazingly there could be more to come.

Romero will return to the velodrome tomorrow to ride the first ever world championship women’s team pursuit. Alongside her will be Wendy Houvenaghel who finished fourth here tonight. It’s a strength in depth that no other nation can boast. The third rider is likely to be young Joanna Rowsell.

No other nation put two riders in the top ten in qualifying this afternoon, so it’s hard to see who can challenge the Brits if they get their changes right. And to do that, they can call on the most experienced, and most successful, pursuiting coaches in the world.

The win brought home Britain’s third gold medal, and with Shanaze Reade and Victoria Pendleton qualifying fastest by a country mile in the team sprint, there looks like there’s be a fourth before the night is out.